Winnipeg Construction

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by Andy6

The problem was that they redid Polo Park at the same time, and it was bigger and easier to park at. The idea was that going to Portage Place would be the equivalent of a visit to Polo Park, with the Bay at one end and Eaton's at the other, but it was too awkward and far to go from the one department store to the other. This attempt at bringing the feeling of a mall to downtown didn't work because, as a mall experience, it was badly designed and inferior to the real thing. It should have been predictable based on the mediocre performance of Eaton Place since its opening a few years earlier.

Portage Place was built by Cadillac Fairview who also owned Polo Park (not sure if they still do?) Portage Place never had huge appeal for A list retailers, but Cadillac Fairview could pretty much instruct retailers to locate there. If you want to be at Polo Park, and other premium malls, you go to Portage Place, etc.

When CF sold Portage Place (or did they lose it during bankruptcy? I forget) that was the beginning of the end for Portage Place. Without the leverage that CF brought, A list retailers started dropping one by one.

And I'm sure they never foresaw the failure of Eaton's and downsizing/possible relocation of The Bay ...

North Portage was an interesting experiment. Housing (apartments, 55+, life lease), retail, entertainment (IMAX, Prairie theatre exchange, Famous Players), parking - truly mixed use and had it all. Although even by that time it was pretty well acknowledged that North Portage-style urban renewal was a mistake. I don't necessarily think that the North Portage model was a failure in design; it just wasn't able to overcome the structural challenges that our downtown faced (and continues to face).

And now many of properties are plagued with bad ownership. The worst being the apartments - so much potential there. Google Enzo Barrasso for a little light entertainment.

That being said for the public money that was spent, I'm sure there were more effective ways to spend it.

[trueviking]

ive been to portage place a few times in the last few weeks...always mid afternoon on a weekday....it has been far from dead....not a seat to be had in the food court even at 2:00 and the mall itself appeared busy each time....i was actually struck by how busy it was....i was with my parents once and even they remarked that they hadnt been there in a while and were surprised that it was so active.

it could definitely use a refresher out of the 80's but i dont really get the dead claims...not on weekdays anyways...might be different on weekends.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by trueviking

ive been to portage place a few times in the last few weeks...always mid afternoon on a weekday....it has been far from dead....not a seat to be had in the food court even at 2:00 and the mall itself appeared busy each time....i was actually struck by how busy it was....i was with my parents once and even they remarked that they hadnt been there in a while and were surprised that it was so active.

it could definitely use a refresher out of the 80's but i dont really get the dead claims...not on weekdays anyways...might be different on weekends.

I agree that there's lots of traffic, but there are more vacancies and the quality of the tenants seems to be decreasing. Maybe there's a better explanation but it seems like the ownership/property management isn't carrying their weight.

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by flatlander

I agree that there's lots of traffic, but there are more vacancies and the quality of the tenants seems to be decreasing. Maybe there's a better explanation but it seems like the ownership/property management isn't carrying their weight.

I hate how its either now the same stores as everymall in the city (International Clothiers, Payless Shoes, etc), a bunch of gangster stores or just on the edge of Value Village (Hangers is gone, but another popped up near the fountain). The only three stores I like there are: Sweetz, Urban Planet and the Asian gift store. Otherwise, I hate it!!! I could be a way better property manager damn it!

As for this thread though, we should REALLY get back to Construction. ALT might tear down the A&B Building this month to begin construction on the new hotel!

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

looks good vike looks good

the construction of mts center killed eaton place as the final death nail and had a advers affect on portage place... has not really recoverd.. we need some sorta hardware store downtown...

Why does downtown need a hardware store? Not like many condo owners are building decks and fences.

Pollock Hardware does a decent job for people that need a few screws, a tube of silicone or a new hammer, but anyone needing anything bigger or more construction related will have a truck and just drive out to Home Depot or Rona.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Is that some Corten Steel i see there? It sure looks nice.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Why does downtown need a hardware store? Not like many condo owners are building decks and fences.

Pollock Hardware does a decent job for people that need a few screws, a tube of silicone or a new hammer, but anyone needing anything bigger or more construction related will have a truck and just drive out to Home Depot or Rona.

yes it does but its way outa the way just like the burbs are

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

yes it does but its way outa the way just like the burbs are

How is Pollock's anymore out of the way than a comparable store downtown?

Where should this store be located?

Who would the target market/areas be?

The main issue is that people in Winnipeg consider something within walking distance to a max of 4-5 blocks. Anything further and people start getting into their cars. They complain that there aren't any grocery stores downtown, yet they refuse to acknowledge Zellers under The Bay or IGA on Donald because they are too far from the Exchange/Waterfront.

[1ajs]

pllocs is in the process of building a lumber yard beside the cpr main line on main

[bryanscott]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

yes it does but its way outa the way just like the burbs are

If by "Way out of the way" you mean 5 minute from Portage and Main.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by h0twired

The main issue is that people in Winnipeg consider something within walking distance to a max of 4-5 blocks. Anything further and people start getting into their cars. They complain that there aren't any grocery stores downtown, yet they refuse to acknowledge Zellers under The Bay or IGA on Donald because they are too far from the Exchange/Waterfront.

Not to mention it's a 5 minute drive to Safeway in Osborne Village, St. B, or Sargent (or Extra Foods in St. B) - assuming that most people living on Waterfront own cars... Even people in the suburbs can expect to drive 5 minutes to a grocery store...

[WJG]

As underwhelming as Portage Place has been since it was built, I think it's only going to get better from this point on. Between the Jets crowds, the CMHR crowds, Waterfront residents, Rapid Transit, possible towers built on its pads and potential connection to the U of W, I think we'll see a real improvement in Portage Place over the next five years.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Not to mention it's a 5 minute drive to Safeway in Osborne Village, St. B, or Sargent (or Extra Foods in St. B) - assuming that most people living on Waterfront own cars... Even people in the suburbs can expect to drive 5 minutes to a grocery store...

Yep, I drive for groceries (usually Henderson Sobeys or Marion Safeway). Everyone else (people who live in the suburbs) asks me "But what you do for grocery shopping?", I respond "I drive to the grocery store, just like you"

Having said that, it would be nice to have something significant in the exchange or east exchange, but the current situation is fine as we wait for more residents.

(Sargent Safeway sucks though. Its true when they say it is hard to find healthy food in lower income areas.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by WJG

As underwhelming as Portage Place has been since it was built, I think it's only going to get better from this point on. Between the Jets crowds, the CMHR crowds, Waterfront residents, Rapid Transit, possible towers built on its pads and potential connection to the U of W, I think we'll see a real improvement in Portage Place over the next five years.

That's how I see it.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by rypinion

Yep, I drive for groceries (usually Henderson Sobeys or Marion Safeway). Everyone else (people who live in the suburbs) asks me "But what you do for grocery shopping?", I respond "I drive to the grocery store, just like you"

Except me. I walk to the Henderson Sobeys.

In fact when my wife and I were looking for a house, one of the prerequisites was that it has to be within walking distance of a Sobeys.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Except me. I walk to the Henderson Sobeys.

In fact when my wife and I were looking for a house, one of the prerequisites was that it has to be within walking distance of a Sobeys.

Which is great, but not the norm. I would love to be able to walk to the grocery store, but the fact that I 'have' to drive doesn't make me worse off than the average suburban grocery shopper.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by rypinion

Which is great, but not the norm. I would love to be able to walk to the grocery store, but the fact that I 'have' to drive doesn't make me worse off than the average suburban grocery shopper.

Agreed.

Just thought I would make note that not all suburban (if you want to call Frasers Grove suburban) dwellers are car addicted non-walkers.

[Biff]

The hotel competition around the airport is getting crazy. In addition to the brand new just opened Mainstay Suites Hotel on Berry and Fairfield Inn & Suites on Ellice the area is getting 4 new hotels in early 2012. The Grand Winnipeg just started construction at the Airport. There is a Days Inn going on Sargent & Berry where the old Rookies Batting cages were (being demolished now), a new Homewood by Hilton is slated to be built on the same property across from the new Fairfield hotel and a new Hilton brand hotel will be built on Berry in the empty lot next to the Victoria Inn.

Not to mention the existing Hilton on Wellington will soon be undergoing a $6 million renovation.

........that's a crazy amount of hotels for one area.

The good thing is downtown will be getting the new 20 storey Alt hotel and a new highrise hotel (hopefully a high-end brand) for the Convention Centre development.

[Cam]

Does anyone have an idea on the timeline for the RT90 widening?

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by rypinion

Yep, I drive for groceries (usually Henderson Sobeys or Marion Safeway). Everyone else (people who live in the suburbs) asks me "But what you do for grocery shopping?", I respond "I drive to the grocery store, just like you"

Having said that, it would be nice to have something significant in the exchange or east exchange, but the current situation is fine as we wait for more residents.

(Sargent Safeway sucks though. Its true when they say it is hard to find healthy food in lower income areas.

Yeah, I agree. I'd love to see a small, fresh offerings grocer in the immediate vicinity as well. As the population grows, I think an "urban fresh" format store like Sobeys has in downtown Toronto would work well - much smaller than a traditional grocery store, but fits in with the surroundings, and offers all the fresh food and produce you'd expect elsewhere. I think that type of model would fit the market well...